Recently, TV shows such as Dollhouse, Firefly and Whitechapel have used tilt shift effects in motion.

Tilt-Shift: Visual effect that makes normal-sized objects look as if they’re miniatures by reducing the depth of field.

Basically, think Mr Roger’s Neighborhood, but sans the models.

Tilt-Shift (Longer, more technical) definition:

“Tilt-shift photography refers to the use of camera movements on small- and medium format cameras; it usually requires the use of special lenses.

‘Tilt-shift’ actually encompasses two different types of movements: rotation of the lens relative to the image plane, called tilt, and movement of the lens parallel to the image plane, called shift. Tilt is used to control the orientation of the plane of focus (PoF), and hence the part of an image that appears sharp; it makes use of the Scheimpflug principle. Shift is used to change the line of sight while avoiding the convergence of parallel lines, as when photographing tall buildings.

In many cases, “tilt-shift photography” refers to the use of tilt and a large aperture to achieve a very shallow depth of field.”

Source: Tilt-Shift Photography: Wikipedia.org

Tilt Shift on TV

Recent TV shows using the tilt shift effect:

• Dollhouse
• Firefly
• ITV’s Whitechapel

Dollhouse

Joss Whedon’s newest project for TV—Dollhouse—makes great use of the tilt shift effect in its title credits sequence.

The choice of the tilt shift effect in Dollhouse fits perfectly with the subject and basic idea of the show—miniatures in a ‘dollhouse’. I like that the effect is used not just to make things look cool, but rather as a metaphor and tie-in with the show.

The Dollhouse intro is a great example of the tilt shift effect in video

Firefly

Firefly—another Joss Whedon project—used a tilt shift type effect when zooming in and panning, rather than to create a miniature effect.

This was many times used during space scenes to mimic a person using a hand-held camera and then having to refocus on the object in the frame.

The tilt shift effect blurred the outsides of the frame, while leaving the focus of the zoom relatively focused—kind of a tunnel-vision look. Then, once zoomed in, Zoic Studios used a quick manual focus effect before focusing completely on the object. The tilt shift effect is easy to miss, but it makes for a very interesting look.

Zioc Studios’ Firefly Effect Showcase Reel (contains a few examples of the zoom and pan effect described above)

Whitechapel

ITV’s Whitechapel makes sparse use of the tilt shift effect. It’s primarily used in a shot or 2 in the credits sequences and throughout for aerial shots of some of the UK buildings and architecture.

The effect doesn’t quite fit the subject as well as in Dollhouse, but it’s also not used as extensively or prominently as with Dollhouse.

Make Your Own Tilt Shift Photos (or: Tilt Shift Effect Tutorials)

A tilt shift lens for your camera allows you to shoot “real” tilt shift photography, but these can be a bit pricey. However, there have been several tutorials showing how to easily duplicate the effect in Photoshop.

• Fake Model Photography
• Tilt-Shift Photography Photoshop Tutorial
• How To Use Photoshop’s Lens Blur Tool For Tilt-Shift Fakery
• Tilt Shift Photoshop Tutorial: How To Make Fake Miniature Scenes

Tilt Shift “Photography”

This post wouldn’t be complete without some examples of tilt shift photography (or Photoshop copies). Smashing Magazine has a collection of 50 great tilt shift photos.

Did I Miss an Example?

I’ve shown 3 examples of TV shows that make use of tilt shift effects, but I’ve probably missed some. What about movies? Are there any films out there that you’ve spotted the tilt shift photography or effects? Share with us by leaving a comment.

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• Make Your Own Tilt-Shift Lens
• 24 Fun Photography Tutorials, Tips and How-Tos
• 10 Outstanding TV Series Title Sequences
• Cheat Sheets For Graphic Designers
• Depth of Field Examples